Books, school bags and socks were strewn along the tracks near the mangled bus. Parents of the missing wailed as they looked for signs of their children.

One witness said the train pushed the bus along the tracks for nearly half a mile.

Hospital officials said between seven and 11 wounded were being treated in two different facilities, many with severed limbs.

The state news agency MENA reported that Transport Minister Mohammed el-Meteeni offered his resignation to President Mohammed Morsi. The agency said Morsi ordered an investigation into the accident and said that those responsible would be held accountable.